Three medical groups this week endorsed CT scans to screen for lung cancer in some smokers. Annual tests are recommended for older adults who are or used to be heavy smokers. An expert group that advises doctors on preventive care has rejected the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for routine use. The group said using the test to screen for prostate cancer does more harm than good. A new study released this week suggests that people who take calcium pills may have a higher risk of heart attack. Another study found that more teens today are at risk of heart disease than teens a decade earlier. That's because they are more likely to be overweight or have diabetes or high blood pressure.

Americans keep getting heavier, a study released this week said. It predicted that 42% of adults will be obese by 2030. Another study found that probiotic products may help prevent diarrhea linked with taking antibiotics. U.S. officials this week called for lower radiation limits on medical scans for children. A U.S. appeals court reversed its own decision that ordered big changes in mental health care for veterans. The court said it didn't have the power to order the changes. Also, a new survey published this week found that more young adults are getting sunburns.

New research released this week showed that type 2 diabetes in children and teens may be hard to keep under control. A controversial study involving a lethal strain of bird flu was published this week after delays over security concerns. The study showed how easily the virus could change and be able to spread among mammals. Two reports on the health of babies were published this week. A study found that the rate of narcotic withdrawal symptoms in newborns has tripled in 10 years. A report from several health groups said that 1 out of 10 babies born worldwide is premature. Facebook made health news this week by launching a feature that helps people sign up as organ donors.

The American Cancer Society said this week that exercise and a healthy diet may help people live longer after cancer treatment. Three government reports also made news this week. One found that 2 out of 3 people who abuse painkillers begin with pills they get from friends or family. Another report said that only 13% of Americans have high cholesterol. Drug treatment may be the reason. Other officials reported this week that a dead dairy cow in California had so-called mad cow disease. The cow was at a rendering plant to be turned into products other than human food. The disease was found by a routine test. The brain tissue tests are done on a random sample of dead cows.

New research published this week suggests that reduced or erratic sleep may increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Other studies found that a specific way to comfort babies after shots decreases their pain and that optimists may have better heart health. A report released this week shows that accidental deaths of U.S. children have fallen 30% since 2000. Traffic deaths were down. But prescription drug overdoses rose.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants farm animals to stop getting antibiotics to help them grow. The FDA this week asked drug makers to sell these drugs to farmers only when needed for health reasons. An Arkansas judge this week fined Johnson & Johnson $1.1 billion for fraud against the state Medicaid program. A jury found the drug maker guilty of hiding potential risks of Risperdal. This drug is used to treat schizophrenia. A study published this week found that the most common type of brain tumor occurs more often among people who have had frequent dental X-rays. The type of tumor, meningioma, is usually not cancerous. Other new research found higher rates of autism for children whose mothers were obese while pregnant. And a study released in time for tax filing day found that the rate of fatal traffic accidents goes up on tax days.

Nine doctors' groups this week urged their members and patients to think twice about some types of care. The groups published lists of tests and procedures that they said are often not needed. Unrelated research this week also talked about excess treatment. The study estimated that 15% to 25% of cancers found by a mammogram don't need to be treated. Other research found a possible reason for black women's higher rates of cervical cancer and death from it. They may not clear the infection that causes the cancer from their bodies as quickly as white women. In other infectious disease news, U.S. health officials this week were looking into a multi-state outbreak of salmonella.

The mild winter has led to an early allergy season in parts of the United States, health officials said this week. New research concludes that many low-risk patients are getting more costly anesthesia than they need for a colonoscopy. A group of experts released a report this week on dissolvable tobacco products. They said the products may be less dangerous than smoking. On the other hand, they may encourage more people to use tobacco.

Several expert groups announced new screening guidelines for cervical cancer this week. They say that women over 30 can safely get a Pap test only every 5 years under certain conditions. A study that kept track of men's health for 11 years after prostate cancer screening found that those who were screened did not live longer than other men. They were less likely to die of prostate cancer, however. The U.S. government launched an anti-smoking campaign this week. It features advertisements with graphic images showing people harmed by smoking. British researchers this week urged doctors to stop using all-metal hip replacements. Medical records showed that these devices are more likely to fail than ceramic or plastic replacements.

The American Heart Association said this week that doctors need to give more information to people with heart failure. The group said patients need to know whether treatments are likely to help them feel better as well as live longer. Research published this week describes a new way of doing kidney transplants. People received a mixture of their own bone marrow and marrow from their kidney donor. Five out of eight were able to stop taking immune suppressant drugs within a year. Other new research focused on recent U.S. war veterans. Those with mental disorders were more likely than other veterans to get narcotic prescriptions for pain. A study of people with moderate and severe Alzheimer's disease found that the drug donepezil (Aricept) slowed their decline. But combining it with memantine (Namenda) did not produce better results.

U.S. drug regulators said this week that they will require label changes for popular cholesterol drugs. The drugs, known as statins, will list two new potential side effects seen in some people. A report released this week says that more Americans are seeking dental care in emergency rooms instead of at the dentist. U.S. officials announced the arrests of 7 people in what was described as a major Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme. There was also new research reported this week. Scientists said they have found a way to make new eggs from stem cells in the ovaries of young women.

Women are less likely to have chest pain with a heart attack, and more likely to die, research published this week finds. Another study shows for the first time that removing polyps by colonoscopy reduces colon cancer. A study from a major hospital found that more children are getting treatment for gender identity disorder. In government news, an expert panel this week supported approving the diet drug Qnexa. And a government study found that deaths from hepatitis C are rising.

In a study published this week, treatment with people's own stem cells helped to repair damage from heart attacks. Other research tested use of an auto-injector to deliver emergency anti-seizure drugs. Injection in the muscle worked even better than the standard method, giving drugs through an intravenous (IV) line. Researchers from Germany said this week that they had found a way to make larger amounts of a major malaria drug. The new process also costs less. And a study by business professors found that some people will accept smaller restaurant servings to save calories. They were willing to do this even if the price of the meal stayed the same.

Research news this week covered a wide variety of topics. One found that a drug some high-risk women take to prevent breast cancer may also weaken bones. Other studies found that people in first class don't have fewer blood clots on long flights and that tai chi may help people with Parkinson's disease. Two surveys dealt with topics related to smoking. One showed that many kids ride in cars with smokers. The other found that smokers go to the dentist less than other people and have more dental problems.

A breast cancer foundation caused an uproar this week when it announced that a new policy would bar Planned Parenthood from grants. Later in the week, the policy was changed again. Research released this week found that a new pill may help to control fibroids and that a newer type of radiation for prostate cancer treatment may have more side effects. A senator's recent stroke led to an article on the rise of strokes in younger adults. Pfizer recalled 1 million faulty packets of birth control pills this week. And the Carter Center announced $40 million in grants to help wipe out Guinea worm disease.

Researchers said this week that a stem cell treatment apparently improved vision in two women who are legally blind. The treatment used stem cells from embryos. Another new study estimated that 16 million Americans have human papilloma virus infections in the mouth. U.S. health officials said this week that amputations have dropped by more than half for people with diabetes. The government also released new rules for school lunches. The changes are intended to improve nutrition and reduce fat and calories.

New research suggests that women with a low risk of fragile bones don't need frequent bone density tests. The study was released this week. The Obama administration released a summary of a new program to improve treatment and care of Alzheimer's disease. Chef Paula Deen announced on the "Today" show that she has diabetes. Her announcement drew criticism from health activists because her TV shows promote fatty foods. In Los Angeles, the city council gave final approval this week to a law requiring condoms on porn movie sets.

Researchers released a study this week that looked at multiple embryo transfers for in vitro fertilization. They found that transferring a third embryo does not improve the odds of having a baby. Other new studies found that marathon deaths are rare but increasing and that women who take statin drugs may have a higher risk of diabetes. A fourth study lasted 20 years. It found that people who smoked up to a joint of pot a week had no increased risk of lung damage.

Twin births have jumped in the United States since 1980, health officials said this week. In other government news, advisers urged U.S. health officials to change the definition of lead poisoning. They said the current threshold for blood lead in children should be cut in half. This could lead to diagnosis of many thousands more children. Also this week, drug regulators issued their first rules limiting the use of antibiotics in animals raised for food.

The U.S. government this week issued its first rules limiting toxic emissions from power plants. Congress authorized the rules in 1990. The Department of Health and Human Services this week sought to limit release of details on a new, lab-engineered bird flu virus. The virus spreads easily between mammals. The officials said details on how it was made could help terrorists. French officials this week advised women with one type of breast implant to have them removed as a precaution. About 1,000 implants have ruptured.

A conference this week produced news about breast cancer treatment using both drugs and radiation. Two studies reported promising results on new treatments for advanced breast cancer. Another study showed lower survival with a more limited type of radiation treatment. A fourth study found that a gene test may predict which women with very early breast cancers need radiation. A U.S. cabinet official decided this week to block over-the-counter sales of the "morning-after pill" to girls under age 17. That's the current rule. However, drug regulators had wanted to remove it. A report released this week said that low-risk prostate cancers may need a new name. A less-scary name might encourage men to avoid treatment they probably don't need. The expert panel that wrote the report said more research is needed on monitoring these men to figure out when or if they need treatment.

Only about 1 in 4 Americans infected with HIV has the virus under control, a report released this week says. The New York City health department said treatment should start earlier, and President Obama called for more funding. Lipitor, the popular cholesterol medicine, lost patent protection this week. But it's taking aggressive steps to keep sales high. More parents are refusing vaccines, the Associated Press says. Rates now exceed 5% in 8 states. A new study suggests that doctors who own MRI machines are more likely to order tests for patients who don't need them. And the governors of two states this week asked U.S. drug enforcement officials to change the legal status of marijuana. The change would allow doctors to prescribe it and pharmacies to dispense it legally.

The U.S. Supreme Court said this week that it will consider a challenge to the health care reform law adopted in 2010. Among other things, the law requires people to buy health insurance. A lower court said that this violates the Constitution. Congress prepared this week to vote on a bill that would cancel some changes to school lunch nutrition rules. The Agriculture Department proposed the changes in the spring. A study released this week found that stroke risk varies for people of different blood types. Another study found that 1 out of 5 U.S. adults takes a drug related to mental health or behavior.

A human rights group filed a claim against the United Nations this week on behalf of Haitians harmed by the cholera epidemic. The group blames the UN for the epidemic. It says that peacekeeping troops caused it through poor sanitation. A study released this week found that babies who grow very quickly are more likely to become obese. Another study suggests that children with autism have extra cells in parts of their brain. A third study published this week supports a change in rules for liver transplants given to alcoholics. It suggests that carefully selected patients should not have to wait six months before a transplant to prove they can stay sober.

Having less than a drink a day of alcohol can increase women's risk of breast cancer. So says a study released this week. Another study offered good news for children with an attention disorder. It found that medicines for this condition do not increase the risk of heart problems. U.S. officials said this week that overdose deaths caused by prescription painkillers have tripled in the last decade. Other officials this week approved a new device to help doctors detect melanoma. And President Obama issued an order to increase government efforts to prevent shortages of some medicines.

Hormone levels change after a large weight loss and stay that way for at least a year, a study released this week found. The net effect is to increase hunger, researchers said. Other research this week found that BPA exposure may affect girls' behavior. Girls who were exposed to bisphenol-A before birth had less control of feelings and behavior. An expert panel that advises the U.S. government said this week that boys also should get a vaccine now given to girls. The shots protect against human papilloma virus. In other vaccine news, researchers said that seasonal flu shots protect only 59% of adults who get them from flu infection. As Occupy Wall Street protests continue, sanitation issues were reported this week in several cities.

A new vaccine reduces the risk of malaria in young children by about half, researchers announced this week. No vaccine is available now against the deadly disease. In other world health news, China said it has vaccinated 9 million people against polio. The campaign was launched to fight an outbreak in one region. Annual cancer screenings drew more criticism this week. An expert task force said Pap tests are needed only every three years. These tests are used to screen women for cervical cancer. And new research found that women were more likely to have a false alarm from test results if they got mammograms every year. Abnormal test results that did not turn out to be breast cancer were less common when the tests occurred every two years. Other researchers said this week that hospital stays for heart failure fell by nearly one-third in the last decade.

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An expert panel said this week that the PSA test should no longer be used to screen healthy men for prostate cancer. The new advice came from the U.S.. Preventive Services Task Force. It said the test does not save lives and can cause harm. Research published this week says that about 13% of parents don't follow the recommended schedule for children's vaccines. Some delayed or skipped shots, believing this was safer. Another study focused on human papilloma virus, which causes most cervical cancer. Now it's also causing more cancers of the upper throat, the study found. Other research calculated much higher risks of some health and pregnancy problems for women exposed to the drug DES in their mother's wombs. Another report concluded that hospitals with low quality and high costs also often have many old, poor and uninsured patients. Finally, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died this week. He had been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas 7 years ago.

The White House filed an appeal this week of a court decision that struck down part of the 2010 health care reform law. U.S. health officials said this week that an outbreak of illness caused by Listeria bacteria is the worst in at least a decade. At least 13 people have died. The outbreak has been traced to cantaloupe from a Colorado farm. A study released this week said that nursing homes send dementia patients to the hospital more often than necessary. Other research found an increased risk of stroke among people whose blood pressure is just under the level considered high.

World health leaders spoke out this week about the need to control long-term (chronic) diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The United Nations is holding a summit next week on the growth of these illnesses worldwide. Drug-resistant tuberculosis is spreading in Europe, a new report says. A study released this week says that teens are having fatal car wrecks at older ages. This trend follows adoption of tighter rules for young drivers. Another study found that kids do poorly on certain brain tests after watching fast-paced cartoons. And a survey suggests that people favor newer drugs, even if older ones may be safer.

This week, the United Nations warned that bird flu, or H5N1, is spreading and mutating. Women's health also was in the news this week: a doctor's group recommends that women who have cesarean sections use inflatable boots or stockings during the surgery, to reduce the risk of blood clots. A study also found that fewer women are taking hormone replacement drugs, but fewer also are getting mammograms. The two trends are probably linked, say experts. It may come as no surprise that Americans take in too much sugar, but a study confirms that some of us get more than 550 calories a day from sugary drinks. Finally, a large North American study showed that performing CPR for 3 minutes instead of 1 was probably not necessary. The longer CPR didn't improve the chances of a defibrillator getting the heart started again.

Nearly 5,000 U.S. children are hurt each year in falls from windows, researchers said this week. Almost all falls are from the first or second story. Two other studies offered good news. Heart attack patients are getting treated faster at U.S. hospitals, and eating certain foods can lower LDL cholesterol. Another study released this week found that memory and thinking decline more slowly in people who eat less salt and exercise more. U.S. drug regulators issued a warning this week about citalopram (Celexa), a drug for depression. The maximum dose is now 40 milligrams per day. The Food and Drug Administration said higher doses can disrupt heart function.

U.S. regulators approved a new drug to treat melanoma this week. The drug, vemurafenib (Zelboraf), blocks a protein involved in cell growth. Other research released this week found a higher family risk of autism than previous studies. The new study found that nearly 1 out of 5 babies with siblings who have autism will be diagnosed with autism themselves. Drug shortages have continued to grow in the United States, U.S. officials said this week. Many of the shortages are in cancer drugs with few alternatives. The American Society for Addiction Medicine says that addiction is a chronic (long-lasting) brain disease. The new definition was published this week. It applies to compulsive eating and gambling addiction as well as substance abuse.

Gene therapy apparently has wiped out a form of leukemia in two men, researchers said this week. A third man had a partial response to the treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, they said. A review of research has found that a DNA test of a pregnant woman's blood can predict the sex of the baby. The tests are accurate after the seventh week of pregnancy, the study found. A large group of children's doctors issued guidelines this week for keeping kids safe while playing sports in hot weather. Previous guidelines had said kids should avoid sports when it gets hot. The state of Massachusetts has announced a new campaign to reduce the spread of chlamydia infection. People diagnosed with the disease now will get antibiotics prescriptions for their sex partners, too.

A major U.S. meat packer recalled 36 million pounds of ground turkey this week. The action by Cargill came as U.S. officials look for the exact source of a salmonella outbreak. U.S. rules released this week say that health insurance plans must offer birth control at no charge under the new health care law. The 2010 law requires that preventive care be covered with no copayment by patients. Johnson & Johnson, maker of Tylenol, said this week that it will lower the drug's recommended daily dose limit. Labels for Tylenol Extra Strength will carry the change in the fall. Also this week, a review of research found that almost any amount of exercise helps. Even 10 to 15 minutes of exercise a day can help reduce a person's odds of getting heart disease, the study found.

Alzheimer's disease research filled the news this week. Studies were presented at a major conference in France. One study reported that a blood test may be a good way to screen large numbers of people for Alzheimer's. Other research showed a higher risk of dementia among people with certain eye changes, falls or head injuries. A poll released this week showed that baby boomers are heavier than people older or younger. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced grants totaling $42 million. They are all for projects to improve sanitation in poor countries. Another study released this week reported on a rare lung disease found in veterans.

Taking a daily pill can help to prevent HIV infection for heterosexuals. That's the main finding of a study released this week. Another study found that people who have low potassium and high sodium in their diets are more likely to have heart attacks. A group of chain restaurants announced this week that they are making changes to their children's menus. The menus will offer healthier foods, they said. U.S. regulators warned this week about a risk related to surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in women. Surgical mesh sometimes is used instead of traditional surgery to support the pelvic organs. But the Food and Drug Administration said this approach can lead to more serious side effects.

U.S. obesity rates have climbed a great deal in the last 15 years, a report released this week shows. Two new studies suggest a strong link between the environment and autism. One study showed high rates of autism among fraternal as well as identical twins. The other found a greater chance of autism among children whose mothers took certain kinds of depression drugs while pregnant. Swedish researchers said this week that they had given a man a new trachea made from his own stem cells. The man has advanced cancer of the trachea. He is expected to recover completely. A report released this week shows that U.S. colon cancer deaths keep going down. Officials gave credit to better screening programs to find cancer early.

Having regular mammograms reduces breast cancer deaths, and the benefit is greater as time passes, researchers said this week. They were releasing long-term follow-up results from a large Swedish study. Another study about cancer screening also was published this week. It found that low-radiation CT scans of people at high risk for lung cancer reduced deaths more than X-ray screening. But most of the abnormal test results were false alarms that required more tests. At least 116 million U.S. adults have long-term pain, and it's poorly treated, a report issued this week said. Results of an experimental treatment also were released this week. Three people on dialysis received replacement blood vessels made from cells given by a single donor. The cells were grown in the laboratory into sheets of cells that were rolled to make blood vessels.

New cigarette-pack images unveiled this week include graphic images of damage caused by smoking. The industry is suing to try to avoid having to use them. Scientists said this week that the E. coli outbreak in Europe is caused by a strain that combines traits of two other strains. Together, they have made the illness especially severe. Researchers reported this week that a new drug improves treatment of hepatitis C. The drug is called telaprevir (Incivek). A review of studies has found that potato chips are linked to the largest long-term weight gain of all foods. In San Francisco, a coalition of Jews and Muslims filed suit this week to block a vote planned for November. The vote would decide whether to ban circumcision of male children. In child health news, researchers said this week that drownings are common in small backyard pools and that 8% of U.S. children have food allergies.

U.S. drug officials released new sunscreen regulations this week. They require more tests for a product to say it offers "broad spectrum" protection. They also change other rules on labeling. Governments and private groups this week pledged $4 billion to buy vaccines. They will be given to children in low-income countries. Research released this week found problems getting specialty appointments for children with Medicaid insurance. A new analysis concluded that in some U.S. counties, life expectancy is down. It has risen steadily for the nation as a whole.

Developments related to drug treatments made news this week. U.S. drug regulators issued a warning about high-dose simvastatin. This statin drug is sold as a generic and under the brand name Zocor. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said only a restricted group should take the 80-milligram dose. This dose can increase the risk of muscle damage. Researchers reported this week about a new way for women at high risk of developing breast cancer to lower their risk. The drug exemestane (Aromasin) cut their risk by two-thirds. Another drug, vemurafenib, increased survival for people with advanced melanoma. This is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. German doctors made news by using antibiotics to treat people with severe infections caused by E. coli bacteria. The usual treatment is just fluids. Finally, researchers said this week that vigorous exercise may help to prevent so-called silent strokes.